REV102322

• Permit No: C1980005
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 7/29/1997
• Doc Name: SENECA II MINE PERMIT C-80-005 TR31 TOPSOIL MANAGEMENT PLAN
• From: DMG
• To: SENECA COAL CO
• Type & Sequence: TR31
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Depdrlment of N,lural ResourCeS
I SI 1 Sherman 51., Room 215

Denver, Cnlorarlo BO203 Ih~~

Phone: (303)Afi6-3567 I
FA%: 13031 A32-A 106
DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES
Ruy Romer
Governor
only z9, 1997 lames 5. Lochhead
Ececuuve Director
Michael B. Long
Division Director
Mr. Michael Altavilla
Seneca Coal Company
P.O. Drawer D
Hayden, CO 81639
RE: Seneca II Mine (C-80-005)
TR-31; Topsoil Management Plan
Deaz Mr. Altavilla,
The Division of Minerals and Geology received yow technical revision application (TR-31)
addressing the topsoil management plan at the Seneca II Mine (C-80-005). This technical
revision is in response to the 1995 Midterm Review and the 1997 Permit Renewal, stipulation 34
to the permit.
Seneca Coal Company proposes a range in topsoil replacement depth from zero inches to 14
inches at the Seneca II Mine. The Division does not believe that is appropriate to approve azeas
of the mine without any topsoil. The Seneca II permit currently requires a topsoil replacement
depth of 12 inches. Prior to reducing the overall topsoil depth, Seneca should look at other
management alternatives such as importing topsoil, the use of rock piles and less topsoil for
shrub reestablishment areas. Based on results of reclamation of pre-law disturbance at the
Seneca Mine where topsoil was not salvaged and redistributed, the Division does not believe that
reclamation without any topsoil is acceptable at the Seneca II Mine. The following questions
pertain to this issue and need to be addressed by Seneca prior to approval of the revision;
In May of 1996, Seneca surveyed the topsoil piles and remaining areas to be topsoiled at
the Seneca [[ Mine. At that time, Seneca determined that 607.4 acres (minus the
remaining roads) require topsoil. The new plan states that 497 acres will be topsoiled.
Taking into account the 90 acres that Seneca proposes as a subsoil substitute, there is a
20.4 acre discrepancy between the estimated acreage in 1996 and what is noted in this
revision. Please clazify this discrepancy with the Division.